Devine Scripture

Matthew 17:12

What does Matthew 17:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 17:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 17:12 means

Jesus then reveals that Elijah has already come in the person of John the Baptist, but people did not recognize him and treated him hostilely, doing as they pleased with him. He then tragically connects John's suffering and death to His own impending suffering, stating that the Son of Man will also suffer a similar fate at the hands of those who reject Him. This clarifies the prophecy's fulfillment and foreshadows His Passion.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

but I say unto you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but did unto him whatsoever they would. Even so shall the Son of man also suffer of them.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

but I say unto you, that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but did unto him whatsoever they would. Even so shall the Son of man also suffer of them.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But I say to you that Elijah has come, and they had no knowledge of him, but did to him whatever they were pleased to do; the same will the Son of man undergo at their hands.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I say to you--Elijah did already come, and they did not know him, but did with him whatever they would, so also the Son of Man is about to suffer by them.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But I say to you, that Elias is already come, and they knew him not, But have done unto him whatsoever they had a mind. So also the Son of man shall suffer from them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But I say unto you that Elias has already come, and they have not known him, but have done unto him whatever they would. Thus also the Son of man is about to suffer from them.

Context

This verse provides the crucial interpretation of the Elijah prophecy, building directly on Jesus' affirmation in the previous verse. It reveals that the prophesied figure has already appeared in John the Baptist and draws a direct parallel between John's suffering and Jesus' own future suffering. This explanation directly addresses the disciples' confusion and offers a deeper insight into the nature of messianic suffering.

v.11And he answered and said, Elijah indeed cometh, and shall restore all things:

v.12This passage

v.13Then understood the disciples that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Mark 9:12

    And he said unto them, Elijah indeed cometh first, and restoreth all things: and how is it written of the Son of man, that he should suffer many things and be set at nought?

  • Matthew 16:21

    From that time began Jesus to show unto his disciples, that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.

  • Matthew 11:2

    Now when John heard in the prison the works of the Christ, he sent by his disciples

  • Matthew 21:23

    And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

  • Luke 9:21

    But he charged them, and commanded them to tell this to no man;

  • Acts 13:24

    when John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

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